Sprechen Sie Deutschpflicht?

A current controversy in Germany: Deutschpflicht auf Schulhöfen. Essentially, some politicians suggested to introduce a new rule that would make German the only accepted language on any school campus. The theory behind this initiative is that if students from immigrant families are forced to speak German even during breaks, their German language skills would improve. Not surprisingly, there is public outcry because opponents fear such a rule would dramatically limit freedom of speech. Critics also point out that language skills only improve through proper language classes on not by imposing rules regulating choice of language in public.

It is to be noted that there are a few German schools that reached voluntary agreements between teachers, staff, students and parents to introduce similar rules on campus in a bottom-up approach.

I think we shouldn't introduce rules that are (close to) impossible to control. How on earth should teachers monitor language use among groups of students during class breaks, lunch hours, on restrooms, etc.? If some student wants to speak Turkish (or French, or Russian, or whatever language) to communicate with peers, no rule will stop him or her. However I am strongly in favor of introducing literacy tests for young students ensuring their proper knowledge of the German language. It works as a favor to any student, not just immigrant or international students. It probably wouldn't hurt to introduce debating as a mandatory subject either. Being able to communicate, being able to speak in public (and also being able to understand and listen) is important. The suggested rule won't help much.